Removal of Cross From College Chapel Challenged

In October, the president of the College of William and Mary (part of the Virginia state system) asked the director of the campus to change College practice and display the historic 2-foot high bronze table cross in the College's Wren Chapel only during Christian religious services or, as requested, for individual worship. He wanted to make the chapel more welcoming to all faiths. (President's November statement to Board of Visitors.) Students and alumni have been campaigning to bring the cross back, and even have their own website. Now, according to the Associated Press, Mathew Staver, a lawyer with Liberty Counsel, is suggesting that a lawsuit might be filed. He says that the president's decision violates constitutional guarantees of free expression and free exercise of religion.